where we think pink

As a long term fan of Sailor Moon, the 20th anniversary events and merchandise are a continual temptation. If I were a collector of figures, this would be a very wallet-draining year. However, as much as I adore Sailor Moon, I do not actively or aggressively collect items related to this series. I do make an exception for toy versions of in-show props–I have a Cutie Moon Rod from the 90s and one or two brooches from the same era. Typically the second-hand prices of these items keep me from purchasing them. I continually hoped that these items would be redesigned and released for the 20th anniversary… and I was not disappointed.

This is the front of the product’s box. I particularly like the design of the Moon Stick silhouette comprised of small symbols and sparkles representative of the Sailor Moon series.

When I got the email yesterday afternoon indicating that there was a parcel for me in the pick-up center, my heart leapt! It was my Volks USA one-off from their Grand Reopening Celebration–SD Miruku! I hurried over to claim the package, but I didn’t get to open it until my work day was over and I returned home.

The box and I jostled home on the train, much to the confusion of other passengers. I was very thankful that I leave my office just before rush hour–I would have had to wait for so many trains if they were actually jam-packed with commuters. I was lucky to have space to set the box down, giving my arms a rest. It isn’t a very long ride, and after a short walk my box and I were safely home~!

In fact, the dolls I currently own are not accurately reflected in these posts or on the profile pages. There are 3 Pure Neemos on my shelf amidst all the ponies, and although I decided to sell my Nagisa, Claire, when my F-12 arrived, she hasn’t actually sold so she’s still in the house. I was mulling over whether or not to put my Ms. Mariko Dollfie Dream Sister up for sale, but I never settled on doing it. (Every time I see her face I lose my nerve. XD) Despite all that, I still bought a new doll. I have no regret, not even a little bit. When I first saw the promotional photos for this doll, I knew I’d be pre-ordering her.

Her manufacture was delayed several months–she was originally slated for release in November 2013, but she did not ship until the very end of January 2014. She arrived at my workplace on Friday, February 7, 2014… and I am so incredibly happy that I bought her~! ♥

In the spring of 2008, my roommate bought two guinea pigs for us. We named them Crème Puff and S’mores. I’ve always been fond of guinea pigs, because a guinea pig was my first non-fish pet as a child. When I eventually moved out, the guinea pigs came with me. My husband loved them right away, and we doted on our boys, giving them all the love and attention we could. We stuck with them even when Crème Puff developed heart trouble that required constant vet visits and twice daily oral medication. They were our darlings. Continue reading »

I couldn’t wait to see how different styles and colours of wigs look on my new F-12. ♥ I love her darling face! I’ve been itching to place an order with Crobidoll for some wigs, but I’m trying to hold out for another month or two. It’s not like I’m lacking in wigs. XD

Last night was a wig-only photo shoot. Honestly, she looks cute in all of them! Continue reading »

I was absolutely thrilled when my shopping service informed me that my Full-Choice System (FCS) order had shipped! I don’t really have trouble with being patient, and for dolls I try to be very open about how long it might take for the order to be processed. I didn’t expect my FCS order to be ready until late August, potentially being shipped to me in early September, so this was quite a lovely surprise!

I ordered my FCS via Enya on Den of Angels. She was offering a Tenshi no Sato shopping service, and the limited reintroduction of the F-12 MSD head was only available at the Tenshi no Sato location.

I was very pleased with Enya’s shopping service. She communicated well during all aspects of my order–when I had questions before placing the order, when I placed the order, when she traveled to Sato, when she placed the order at Sato, when my doll arrived to her when the order was complete, and when my doll was shipped to me. At no point did I feel that I was “in the dark” or unaware of what was going on. I feel that she communicated my wishes well, as there were no complications with my order. My new F-12 is absolutely perfect in every way. I’ve read about people being less-than-satisfied with the faceup results for custom faceups requested through FCS, but my doll’s faceup is absolutely everything I want it to be. If I were going to order another FCS I would consider Enya as my first choice to order via.

I am a huge fan of the anime Girls Und Panzer. I joke about how it was made just for me, as a series that I would love the most above all things. My little sister has dragged me along with her for a few WWII reenactments; our impressions are German Red Cross (DRK) nurses. My favourite thing about the reenactments are the vehicles. I love tanks. I think tanks are amazing. Having opportunities to be up close to tanks is really amazing! (We’ve gotten tank rides. TANK RIDES.) I also like anime about girls’ schools. Girls Und Panzer is a show about a world where schoolgirls participate in tank battles as a competitive sport. The animation for the tanks and tank battles is so well done! If it had been “eh” I never would have become such a devotee.

So far there hasn’t been a whole lot of Girls Und Panzer merchandise that I’ve been interested in. I don’t want a body pillow with one of the girls printed on it, or a tank model. I’d really love dolls of at least the Anglerfish Team girls, if not all of the teams, but I think it’s unlikely those will be produced. (I also want a Ooarai School mug, but they sell out so quickly!)

In mid-January, when I was still agonizing over the wait for the last few episodes to be released, Good Smile Company (GSC) put a Miho Nishizumi Nendoroid up for preorder. Nendoroids are super deformed-style figures with interchangeable parts and limited pose-ability. Usually their limbs can be rotated, but not bent. I’d seen all kinds of really adorable pictures of these cute little figures; some of my friends who are devoted anime fans own several. I’m not a figure collector by any standard, so although I thought these little things were cute, there weren’t any released in characters I felt strongly attached to. (If there were Sailor Moon or CLAMP characters, then I’d change my tune…) Continue reading »

I couldn’t resist this cute little face! There’s another Pure Neemo in town!

When I bought my first Pure Neemo, I didn’t think I’d buy any others. There weren’t any past or upcoming releases that caught my attention as much as that particular Chiika. This continued to be true even as Azone released the fantastic “Komorebi Mori no Doubutsu-tachi” dolls. Their mori-girl themed outfits and adorable forest animal ears, tails, and accessories were wonderful. There were quite a few that I wanted for the outfits, but not for the dolls themselves.

In fact, I split one of the releases (Miu) with a friend who was only interested in the doll. Katyusha looked adorable in the navy and green-plaid overdress and dark brown accessories, not to mention the bunny ears and bunny tail adorned bloomers.

I didn’t think I’d be able to find someone willing to split every “forest animals” doll, and it was too expensive to buy them all for the outfits, so I stopped paying much attention.

Then I started seeing pictures on other’s Flickr photostreams showing “neko-san Aika.” Aika’s face hadn’t really appealed to me before, but “neko-san” Aika was not the same as normal Aika. Aika typically has drooping eyes with heavy upper lids and a slightly smile; it gives her a somewhat sneaky expression–albeit a bit sleepy. This Aika did not have the little smile, however–instead, her mouth was a little “o” that seemed somewhat hesitant. Chiika’s mouth is more of a “D” with the flat part at the bottom, and that gives her face a frightened look. By comparison, this Aika’s mouth makes her face seem as though she’s yawning or has just thought of something to say. It’s like a visual pause. Continue reading »